Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

Alexandra was relieved and happy, and all forgave her once more her euphoric arrogance. She would come to Munich inthe spring of 1913.When Niko and Claudia left, Claudia hugged Alexandra. "You said you envied me our intellectual life in Munich, butwhenever I am with you the most unexpected things happen. Thank you, Alexandra, for this most stimulating time. Whenyou come, you must teach me how to get over my fears, will you?"In September 1913 Tamara’s ambitions were ambushed by fate. She came to see Alexandra at her office to tell her thatshe was pregnant. Alexandra inquired carefully. "What do you want to do?""I want to have the baby! You finished your degree when you were pregnant, why should I not be able to do the same?The more complicated problem is how to tell my father?""I could help you there. But will you agree to marry Vladimir?"Tamara lowered her head. "Yes," she said almost inaudibly."Then it should be possible to solve your problems. Send me that future husband of yours, and I will tell him what he hasto do."Alexandra began to laugh. "Chin up! Now I want to know the exact date on which you conceived and the exact dates ofyour last two periods. You promised me this information for my statistics, do you remember?"Tamara blushed. She had kept a careful diary of these dates over the years, which had helped her from getting pregnant.This time they had been overcome by passion. It happened exactly in the middle between her periods.Alexandra had a conference with Vladimir at her office. He joked embarrassed when he entered. "Doctor Dadiani-Rost, Iam suffering from a case of dementia that needs immediate attention before I flip out completely."Alexandra did not pull his leg or give him a lecture, she was brief and matter of fact. He should write a letter to IrakliDadiani asking for his help in persuading David Dadeshkeliani to cede him his daughter in marriage. He should notmention Tamara’s condition."I will write to my father,” she added, “explain the urgency of your request, and ask him to offer his house for yourwedding, so that Tamara would not have to ride to Svaneti in her condition."She looked him straight in the eye. "We have to shield Tamara from the prying eyes of the Svani. I am sure my father willoffer his house for the occasion. He can work out the details with David."Vladimir smiled gratefully and kissed her outstretched hand. Alexandra flipped her hand around, palm up. She laughed."Sir, this consultation will be twenty rubles. You are not indigent. To get off with a mere hand-kiss is far too cheap!"He went purple, and she gently shoved him out the door."Be well and pull yourself together, old friend!"A week later Alexandra and Helena prepared a charming, informal engagement party for the pair and their friends.Vladimir discussed his predicament with his father, who finally gave him the dressing down he deserved. His fatherpraised Alexandra’s suggestions and regretted that Vladimir had never introduced him to this long-standing friend. "Youwere invited to her parent’s house in Tiflis, why have you never brought her to our country house?"Vladimir mumbled something about Alexandra being very busy as a physician, and added reproachfully that since hismother’s death their home missed the hostess who could have received this unusual woman. For the same reason hehad never taken Tamara home either. The conversation ended with Vladimir’s father inviting all his close friends to spenda weekend with him in the country.When he told Alexandra of the invitation, she called his father to thank him and offered that she would feel honored andhappy to act as Vladimir’s female protectress in the forthcoming wedding proceedings.At first Vladimir’s father was taken aback by her unusual suggestion, but then, the practical politician he was, turned thematter around and teasing her most charmingly, offered Alexandra the vacant place at his side. Would he be allowed toinvite her for dinner at a restaurant of her choice to make her acquaintance?Konrad suggested that she go on this mission without him.Alexandra smiled. She was about to fulfil the role as lover, sister, and mother to Vladimir with which Konrad had teasedher. She dressed carefully, elegantly but not seductively. Vladimir’s father, all gentleman, picked her up in the big car.The familiar chauffeur did not blink an eyelash. A séparée with a table for two awaited them at the restaurant.Completely relaxed, they enjoyed the excellent food and a bottle of Premier Grand Cru Pommard 1907. Since the horridevening with Manovsky she had not eaten in such grand style.M. Nomikoff apologized that Vladimir had spent weeks at her parent’s house, and he, for lack of a wife and hostess, hadnever invited her and her husband. He tactfully inquired about her Georgian background, her father’s profession, hermother. Alexandra described her childhood: Uncle Ilia Chavchavadze, rides through the beautiful Georgian countryside.Slowly and almost imperceptibly M. Nomikoff steered the conversation to Vladimir’s visit to Svaneti. He had, of course,heard many tales of the beauty and wildness of this part of Georgia. Alexandra teased him about his romantic notions,and then remarked that he was about to acquire a daughter-in-law from one of the oldest Georgian families."You are right, Mrs. Dadiani-Rost, I do probably have a rather distorted concept about the Dadeshkeliani. I am ashamedthat I have never met Tamara, so many things have been neglected since my wife died." He thoughtfully studied his large179